1. Why should manufacturing companies build smart products and provide smart services? What business benefits can be gained? Provide several examples beyond those discussed in this case. a. Why should manufacturing companies build smart products and provide smart services? I believe that with the technology of today. There must be a means for all companies, large or small to invest into smart technology. If they don’t. Then they will not be competitive with their partners and it will be harder for them to play catch up with new smart technology. b. What business benefits can be gained?
Well there are many. Your workforce can be reduced which will give the company more revenue. The company with smart technology can share their service with other partnerships and gain even more rights to smart technology over time. Your company will have better tech support within the product itself and not rely on human interference to provide that help. c. Provide several examples beyond those discussed in this case. 1) One of my favorites would be ADT home security. Not only can you get an alert of your home intruders. But the service can actually call 911 on it’s own without you knowing it.
ADT also offers real time surveillance from any computer or mobile phone. They also offer service to operate your lights, heating, cooling, and sprinklers. This is smart technology at it’s best. 2) Direct TV has gone a long way in smart technology. Not only can you just watch programs from a satellite. They are offering live streaming from your computer or mobile device from anywhere. This makes Netflix pretty much in the dust. 3) Microwaves. Who would know that todays microwaves can use smart technology to adjust cooking by a smart sensor.
With all the types of food cooked in microwaves. They can detect presence of moisture content to give a nice cooked meal. It’s not just push a time and cook. Microwaves are smarter than they ever been. 2. What information technologies are used by the companies in this case to build smart products and provide smart services? What other IT components might be used? Give examples of the capabilities they would provide. a. What information technologies are used by the companies in this case to build smart products and provide smart services?
1) Experion Process Knowledge System (PKS) system of information and operations technologies which is deployed at a customer’s refinery, but controlled and monitored remotely via network connections by Honeywell. 2) Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG developed the ability to monitor its equipment remotely using built-in sensors and networking microprocessors. 3) Home Heartbeat is a good example of smart product and service innovation. Eaton used information technology to build awareness and connectivity into devices it was already selling, turning them into smart products. b.
What other IT components might be used? Satellite would be a big component. WIFI is another component. c. Give examples of the capabilities they would provide. Satellite could provide continuous updates and system maintenance to remote products without the use of human intervention. WIFI could be used to maintain network connectivity ioin a workplace or business. 3. What are some limitations of a smart products and smart services strategy? Give several examples that a business might encounter, and explain how it might overcome them. a. What are some limitations of a smart products and smart services strategy?
One would be the upkeep of the smart product to meet today’s technology. A second would be less interaction with humans. This could be dangerous as we rely on machines to run our business… b. Give several examples that a business might encounter, and explain how it might overcome them. 1) Consumers might want something else out of their product than what it offers. Apple is a great example. With Samsung copying their technology. Consumes face this exact thing. Why go to apple when another company can offer the same and even more at a smaller price.
